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Published on: November 20, 2015
Maternal and fetal outcome in neonatal lupus erythematosus
Insights
Neonatal lupus erythematosus affects children and can manifest as heart block or skin lesions. Mothers of affected children may develop symptoms later, highlighting the importance of long-term maternal and child health monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Rheumatology
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) is a rare autoimmune condition affecting infants.
- Understanding the long-term maternal and child health implications of NLE is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess maternal health, children's health, and obstetric histories in families with NLE.
- To characterize the clinical presentation and outcomes of NLE in children and mothers.
Main Methods:
- Follow-up study of 21 families with children diagnosed with NLE.
- Assessment of maternal health, obstetric history, and child health outcomes.
Main Results:
- Twelve children had congenital heart block, 10 had cutaneous lupus lesions, and 2 had both.
- 18 of 21 mothers developed symptoms during follow-up, with a median onset of 0.25 to 9.5 years.
- Mothers did not show an increased risk of spontaneous abortions; 3 of 12 subsequent livebirths resulted in another affected child.
Conclusions:
- NLE can have significant long-term health impacts on both children and mothers.
- Maternal autoimmune symptoms may develop years after the child's diagnosis.
- Further research is needed to understand the pathogenesis and long-term management of NLE.
Abstract:
Maternal health, children's health, and obstetric histories were assessed in a follow-up study of 21 families with children with neonatal lupus erythematosus; this group constituted approximately 15% of all reported cases. Twenty-one mothers had twenty-four children with the disease. Twelve children had congenital heart block (5 boys, 7 girls), 10 had cutaneous lupus lesions (1 boy, 9 girls), and 2 girls had both heart block and cutaneous lesions. Although half of the mothers were initially asymptomatic, 18 of 21 have developed symptoms during the follow-up period (range, 0.25 to 9.5 years). Three of the children died in the neonatal period. The 21 children who survived have been asymptomatic during follow-up, although 5 of 11 with heart block have pacemakers. The mothers did not have an increased risk for spontaneous abortions. Three of twelve livebirths after the birth of the first child with neonatal lupus erythematosus resulted in another affected child.
